SAFA, Burger King join hands for the next 5 years

The South African Football Association (SAFA) on Friday announced a sponsorship relationship with Burger King to the tune of R25million over the next five years.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) on Friday announced a sponsorship relationship with Burger King to the tune of R25million over the next five years.

The sponsorship will go mainly towards the youth development although it will also filter to the Senior Men’s National Team, Bafana Bafana in the process.

The new sponsors will drive the U17 Men’s National Team, Amajimbos who leave for Chile on Tuesday to take part in the FIFA Junior World Cup.

The sponsorship will then look after the U19 Inter-Provincial tournament and the U20 Men’s National Team, Amajita.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at a Cape Town hotel on Friday night, Burger King chair Hassen Adams said his company was living up to the late statesman Nelson Mandela’s ideals of nurturing the youths.

“We have taken it upon our company to embrace youth development in a bid to create a winning nation.

“Our objective is already bearing fruits with the U17 going to the FIFA World Cup in Chile. Amajimbos are true ambassadors of the country and must represent us well in Chile,” said Adams.

SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan praised Burger King for looking after the youth development saying their involvement with junior teams showed they had a noble national agenda of looking after the youth of the country.

“Our Vision 2022 hinges on looking after junior football as this is the bedrock of sustainable development.

“For this we as the Association need to pay tribute to Burger King for being true to their philosophy of developing the youth of this country in order to build a better future,” said Dr Jordaan.

Dr Jordaan said the sponsorship fillip for the U17 was a timely tonic for them to do well at the World Cup.

“Go and represent us well at the World Cup, you have the backing of the entire country and now this new injection must propel you to scale the heights at the global showpiece.”